Sa Texas ang U.S. debut ni Ancajas

MANILA, Philippines — Gagawin ni IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas ang kanyang US debut sa Pebrero 3 sa kanyang pagdedepensa ng hawak na titulo laban kay Israel Gonzalez ng Mexico sa American Bank Center sa Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ito ang ikaapat na title defense ng 26-anyos na si Ancajas at ang una niyang laban bilang Top Rank fighter matapos pumirma ng two-year contract saTop Rank ni Bob Arum.

“I am thrilled to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank promoting my career in the United States.  As a Filipino boxer there is no higher honor than to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank Boxing promoting you,” sabi ni Ancajas sa isang Top Rank news release.

Nanggaling ang Manny Pacquiao protégé sa six-round KO win laban kay Irish Jamie Conlan noong Nobyembre.

Nauna na niyang tinalo sina Jose Alfredo Rodriguez sa Macau at Teiru Kinoshita sa Brisbane, Australia.

“Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF junior bantamweight world champion and MP Promotions’ first world title holder, is an exciting fighter who has not reached his full potential,” sabi ni Pacquiao.

Ikinunsidera naman ni Arum si Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 KOs) bilang “the next Pacquiao” dahil sa pagkakatulad ng kanyang fighting style sa Filipino boxing icon.

“I have had the opportunity to be ringside for Jerwin’s fights in Australia and in Macau and I see a lot of similarities to his co-promoter Manny Pacquiao,” wika ng veteran promoter.

“Jerwin has a killer instinct inside the ring and he is a great finisher.  Just look at his record.  Jerwin has only gone the distance once in his last 14 fights!” dagdag pa nito Arum.

Si Gonzales (20-1-0, 8 KOs) naman ay isang Top 10 contender ng IBF.

Ang boxing card ay ipapalabas ng ESPN sa US na magbibigay kay Ancajas ng pagkakataong mapanood ng maraming boxing fans.

“I look forward to following in the footsteps of my Idol and promoter Manny Pacquiao. I want to be a champion for a long time,” ani Anjacas. (DMaragay)